Flow control device



April 3, 1962 J. R. KAPPEL 3,027,746

FLOW CONTROL. DEVICE Filed Nov. 16, 1959 @www A 7' TOR/VE V5 3,027,746FLDW CONTROL DEVICE Joseph R. Kappel, Fairfax, Calif., assigner toKappel Corporation, San Raiael, Caiif., a corporation of CaliforniaFiled Nov. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 353,291 11 Claims. (Cl. 70-267) Thepresent invention relates to devices for controlling the volume ilow offluid per unit of time at a given pressure 'and is particularly directedto a device of this class for time control or delay applications.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device forproducing a time delay which is determined by the time required for apredetermined volume of air or other uid at a given pressure to passthrough the device.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of the classdescribed of subminiature size.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a rugged timedelay device which is extremely stable 4and accurate in its operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of anextremely simple yet precision time delay device which may be readilymanufactured without cornplicated precision machinery on a massproduction basis at a comparatively low cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of theclass described which is readily adapted to time controlled latching,switching, and a wide variety of other time controlled triggeringapplications.

An even further object of my invention is the provision of a device ofthe class described as arranged to eect a time delayed opening of acontainer such as a cigarette case.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by thesaid drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE l is an elevational sectional view of one embodiment of the timecontrolled ow device of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken at line 2-2 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational sectional view of another embodiment of thetime controlled dow device.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational sectional view of still another modificationof the time controlled flow device as embodied in a timer mechanism.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a cigarette case having a time operated latchcontrolled by a timer mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken 'at line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 illustratingthe latching mechanism in locked condition.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, but with t the latchingmechanism in open condition.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURES 1 to 4 in particular, the timecontrolled flow device of the present invention is seen to generallycomprise a hollow container 11, e.g., a length of tubing, having aninlet 12 and youtlet 13 for the passage of air or other fluidtherethrough. Within the container between the inlet and outlet thereofthere is disposed a core 14 of porous material. The porous material maybe of any suitable variety having interstices between its constituentsand as herein employed is to be taken as including in addition arent:

invention is depicted in FIGURE 3.

to powdered or granulated materials such as talc, powdered or granulatedceramic and the like, natural or synthetic tibrous material such ascotton, kapok, etc. In addition, the core material is preferablynon-hydrous. The core 1.4 is permanently retained within the containerby sealing means 16 which restrict expansion of the core material from aixed state of compression such that a fixed value of porosity ismaintained. The degree of compression of the core material as well asthe thickness of the core in the direction of flow determines itsporosity, and therefore a fixed value of resistance to the flow of airor other liuid between the inlet l2 and outlet 13 of container 11. Suchflow resistance of the core in turn controls the volume of air or otherfluid which will tiow through the container 11 per given time intervalat a given pressure. It is particularly important to note that the flowresistance of the compressed porous core material is held to extremelysmall tolerances inasmuch as temperature, shock, and other environmentalconditions have a negligible effect thereon. Consequently, the volume owof air or other fluid through the device alfords an extremely accurateparameter which can be used in conjunction with bellows, diaphragms,pistons, and the like in a manner which is subsequently detailed hereinfor a variety of delay or other time control applications.

Considering the tlow control `device of the present invention inparticular detail as to structure, it is to be noted that a variety ofconfigurations are possible, all of which may be readily made inminiature or sub-miniature sizes. The container 1I may be provided as auniform diameter thin-walled tube 17 of brass or the .like as depictedin FIGURES 1 and 2. The tube may be, for example of 9/16" diameter and/f," length. The interior of the tube 17 is preferably knurled,corrugated or tapped as shown generally at 18 to coact with aperturedend plugs i9 and 2i in providing the sealing means I6 for retention ofthe material of the core 14 in a xed state of compression.

More specifically the end plugs 19 and 21 are best formed of soft metalsuch as lead. The end plugs may then be compressed simultaneously withthe core I4 into the tube and be permanently ahxed by engagement withthe tapped surface i8 in positions commensurate with the desired degreeof compression of the core material. The apertures 22 and 23 in plugs 19and 21 respectively constitute the inlet 12 and outlet 13 to the device.It vwill be appreciated that the ow control device described above maybe readily mass produced to possess a wide range or" precise time rateof iiow parameters with nonprecision equipment or methods. The lower endplug 21 may be, for example, inserted into the tube 1S and supportedupon a die holder. The core material is then inserted into the top ofthe tube together with the upper plug I9. A press die may then beapplied to the plug i9 with a pressure for compressing the material ofcore 14 to an extent commensurate with the desired flow rate through theend device. The plugs `19 and 21 by virtue of tapped bore surface 18will assume iixed positions in the tube 17 corresponding to the appliedpressure peak and therefore at the desired compression of the corematerial.

Modified structure for the tiow control device of the As illustratedtherein, the container 11 is provided as a tube 24 having a reduced endsection 26 to facilitate one end seal for the porous core 14 as Well asready plug in of the device into auxiliary equipment. The other end sealfor retention of the material of core 14 in a fixed state of compressionis provided in the present embodiment by an apertured nut 27 inthreadable engagement with tapped threads 28 at the enlarged end of thetube. The nut 27 facilitates adjustment of the degree of compression ofthe core material and therefore the flow rate parameter of the device.By tightening the nut the ow rate is decreased Whereas the ilow rate isincreased by loosening the nut.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, an even further embodiment of the flowcontrol device is seen to include a uniform diameter tube 29 having anexternally threaded flange 3l at one end to facilitate screw-inattachment to auxiliary equipment. in this embodiment the sealing meansfor the core I4 comprises an apertured plate or screen 32 secured withinthe flanged end of tube 29 and a solid sealing plug 33 secured withinthe opposite end of the tube. Outlet is provided by the screen 32whereas inlet is provided by a plurality of longitudinally spacedapertures 34 through the wall of tube Z9. The apertures 34 arepreferably covered, however, by a strip of perforable tape 36 or thelike such that the flow rate of air or other lluid through the devicemay be adjusted as desired by punching through selected ones of theapertures. More particularly, the flow rate varies with the thickness ofthe porous core 14 through which the airA flows, hence with thelongitudinal distance between the inlet and outlet of the tube.Consequently, the apertures 34 at Varied longitudinal distances fromscreen 32 may be punched through to produce correspondingly varied flowrates.

The above described flow control device structure of FIGURE 4, by way ofexample only, is embodied in a particular type of timer mechanism 37. Asemployed therein, the ow control device regulates the flow of air atatmospheric pressure to a bellows 3S having provision for exhaustion toa substantially fixed low pressure commensurate with complete collapseof the bellows. By means of the ilow control device, a precise timeinterval is required for a predetermined volume of air to flow into thebellows commensurate with expansion thereof to a predetermined length.Upon expansion to such length, the end of the bellows contacts asuitable correspondingly located triggering mechanism (not shown) foractuating an electrical circuit, latch, or other mechanism, after thetime interval effected by the ilow control device.

As regards more specifically the timer mechanism 37, the bellows 3Sthereof is preferably mounted in upright position upon a at base 39. Avertical passage 41 is provided centrally of the base in communicationwith the interior of the bellows. Interior-ly of the base the passage 41communicates with an inlet passage 42 extending longitudinally inward tothe passage 41 from one end of the base. In addition, passage 41communicates with an outlet passage 43 which extends longitudinallytowards the opposite end of the base to terminate at the top surfacethereof adjacent the bellows. The end of inlet passage 42 is preferablytapped as shown generally at 44 to receive the threaded flange 31 oftube 29 of the last described embodiment of the flow control device.However, it will be appreciated that the inlet passage may be otherwiseadapted to receive the other embodiments of the flow control devicedescribed herein.

In order that the outlet passage 43 may be selectively opened to permitexhaustion of bellows 38 during collapse thereofl and closed duringcontrolled passage of air to the bellows through the flow controldevice, a suitable valve means 45 is provided in the outlet passage. Thevalve means may be of any suitable check valve configuration. However, avalve which has proven particularly advantageous in practice comprises adrop of heavy viscous oil 46 covering the opening of outlet passage 43in the upper surface of base 39, a sheet of thin film 47 such ascellophane disposed on the base surface and overlying the drop of oil,and a resilient sheet 48 of sponge rubber or the like covering the film47 and clamped to the base as by means of a clamp 49. Hence upondepressing the bellows 38, the pressure of the air therein astransmitted to the film 47 and resilient sheet '48 urges these elementsfrom the base surface, thus opening outlet passage 43 and permittingescape of the air from the bellows. When the bellows is in fullycollapsed exhausted condition, there is no longer suicient pressureapplied to the valve elements to raise same from the base. At this timethe lm and drop of oil form an air tight seal at the opening of passage43, thus closing same. Thereafter, air enters the bellows through theflow control device of the present invention disposed in inlet passage42 at a precise ilow rate determined by the compression and thickness ofthe porous mass 14- of the device as detailed hereinbefore. As the airflows into the bellows at this precisely controlled rate, the bellowsexpands upwardly at a proportionate rate. Finally, after a time intervalprecisely determined by the air llow rate, a volume of air is containedwithin the bellows cornmensurate with an expanded length thereof atwhich a suitable triggering mechanism correspondingly spaced from thebase is contacted for actuation.

inasmuch as the timing mechanism 3'7 described hereinbefore can bereadily made extremely small, the mechanism may be advantageouslyutilized for miniature or subminiature applications wherein space isseverely limited. By way of example, one such application is inconnection with a time delayed opening latch for a small container suchas a cigarette case. In FIGURES 5, 6, and 7 such a latch embodying thetiming mechanism 37 is shown incorporated in a cigarette case which maybe opened only after predetermined time intervals such that anindividuals smoking habit is correspondingly Curbed. As illustrated inthe drawings, a cigarette case 51 is provided which includes a hollowgenerally rectangular boxlike body 52 open at the top as shown at 53 andat one end as shown at 54. Spaced inwardly from the open end 54 there issecured between the side walls of the body a partitioning wall 56 whichdivides the body into a cigarette compartment 57 and an end pocket 58'.The cigarette compartment is of a size to hold a predetermined quantityof cigarettes 59 amounting to a daily supply, eg., twelve, in uprightposition. In addition, the inner faces of the side Walls of the body areprovided with longitudinal grooves 61 at their upper ends or other- Wisearranged to slidably receive a flexible tongue 62 forming the lid of thecase.

The tongue 62 is secured to the upper end of an elongated hollow leverhandle 63 vertically disposed within the pocket 5S is closing relationthereto. The inner end of the handle is open such that the interiorthereof communicates with the pocket and forms therewith a compartmentfor housing time controlled latching mechanism. The side walls of thehandle 63` are positioned interiorly adjacent the projecting ends of theside walls of the body 52 and pivotally connected thereto as by means ofa transversely extending pin 64. In addition the inner edges of thehandle side walls are outwardly stepped as shown at 66 verticallybetween the pin 64 and bottom edges thereof. The lower end of the handlemay thus be pivoted about pin 64 to thereby drawing tongue 62 outwardlyand open the top of cigarette compartment 57 (see FIGURE 7). To maintainthe tongue 62 in closed position the handle is loaded as by means of areturn spring 67 disposed longitudinally between. the lwall 56 and endwall of the handle at a position spaced vertically upward from the pin.The upper end of the handle is thus normally urged inwardly by thespring such that the tongue 62 closes the top of the cigarettecompartment S7.

Considering now the manner in which the timing mechanism 37 of thepresent invention is employed in the cigarette case to effect timecontrolled opening thereof, the tongue 62 is provided with a catch 68 atits undersurface in the portion thereof overlying the pocket 581. Alocking pin 69 is reciprocably mounted upon the partitioning wall 56 asby means of perforated vertically spaced brackets 71 secured thereto.Such pin is normally urged into stopping engagement with the catch 68 bya return spring 72 disposed between brackets 71 whereby opening of thetongue 62 is prevented until the pin is retracted from engagement withthe catch.

In order that retraction of the pin 69 be time controlled, the timingmechanism 37 is secured at its base to the lower portion of the end wallof handle 63l with the bellows 38 projecting longitudinally inward intoclose proximity to a string 73 tautly vertically secured between the endof the pin and a bracket 74 secured to the partitioning wall 56. Thebracket 74 includes vertically spaced raised portions 76 and 77supporting a short section 78 of the string. The end of the bellowspasses longitudinally between the raised portions upon expansion and inso doing urges the section 78 of string 73 inward to thus pull the endthereof downward and retract the locking pin 69 (see FIGURE 7). With thebellows 38 expanded, the tongue 62 is thus unlatched and the cigarettecompartment 5.7 may be opened by depressing the lower end of the handle63. In depressing the handle, the bellows 38 is simultaneously exhaustedby compression thereof between the wall 56 and end wall of the handle.The fully compressed bellows also acts as a stop to rotation of thehandle beyond an amount at which the tongue 62. is opened justsufficiently to permit extraction of a single cigarette through theopening.

Upon releasing the handle 63 the return spring 67 forces the upper endof the handle as well as the tongue 62 inwardly into closed position.The collapsed exhausted bellows 38 is also disengaged from the string 73and longitudinally spaced therefrom whereby the pin 69 is returned intolocking engagement with catch 68 by spring 72l (see FIGURE 6). The casecannot now be opened until a precise time interval has elapsedcommensurate with a flow of a volume of air through the flow controldevice of the timing mechanism 39 sufficient to expand bellows 3S intoengagement with section 78 of string 73 at which time the pin 69 isdisengaged from the catch 68.

It will be appreciated that course control of the opening interval maybe effected by replacing the flow control device of the timing mechanism37 with one of different flow resistance or otherwise varying the flowresistance of the flow rate device. Vernier adjustment of the timeinterval is effected by varying the spacing between the string 73 andthe collapsed bellows. To this end the bracket 74 is made of bendablematerial such that the y lower raised portion 77 may be readily bent todifferent positions of displacement from the partitioning wall 56. Byvarying this displacement the spacing of string 73 from the bellows isalso varied and therefore the expanded length of the bellows at whichcontact with the string is made is correspondingly varied. To provideaccess to the bracket 74 for purposes of adjustment, an access hole 79is provided through the bottom wall of the case in the portion thereofunderlying pocket 58.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid flow control device comprising a tube having an inlet and anoutlet, a core of porous material compressed by a predetermined fixedamount commensurate with a predetermined value of low resistance anddisposed within the tube between the inlet and outlet, and retainingmeans disposed at the opposite ends of the tube for permanentlyrestricting expansion of said core material from the predetermined fixedamount of compression thereof.

2. In a timing mechanism including a bellows having an inlet and avalved outlet for permitting passage of fluid only upon compression ofthe bellows, and triggering means responsive to expansion of the bellowsto a predetermined length, the combination comprising a container havingan inlet and an outlet, said outlet disposed in sealed communicationwith the inlet of said bellows, and a core of porous material disposedwithin said container between the inlet and outlet thereof andestablishing a fixed resistance to fluid flow in precise proportion tothe compression and thickness of the core material.

3. A timing mechanism comprising a base having a vertical passagethrough the top surface thereof and interiorly communicating with inletand outlet passages, a bellows mounted in upright position upon the topsurface of said base with the interior of the bellows in sealedcommunication with said vertical passage, a check valve disposed insealed communication with said outlet passage to open the passage duringdepression of the bellows and seal the passage the remainder of thetime, a container having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet disposed insealed communication with said inlet passage, and a core of porousmaterial disposed Within said container between the inlet and outletthereof and retained against expansion from a fixed state of compressionproportional to a flow resistance commensurate with expansion of thebellows from depressed length to a predetermined length during a precisepredetermined time interval.

4. A timing mechanism according to claim 3, further defined by saidoutlet passage terminating at the top surface `of said base and saidcheck valve comprising a drop of viscous material covering the terminalopening of said outlet passage, a sheet of thin film overlying saiddrop, and a resilient sheet overlying the lm and clamped to said base.

5. In a time opening latching mechanism for a case including arectangular box-like body open at the top with side walls projectinglongitudinally beyond a transverse partitioning end wall dividing thebody 4into a compartment and an end pocket, a liexible tongue slidablylongitudinally disposed between the side walls of the body at the topthereof and forming a lid for said compartment, a hollow lever handlevertically disposed within said pocket and open at its inner end, saidhandle pivotally connected to the side walls of the body and secured atits upper end to said tongue to thereby draw the tongue outwardly uponrotation of the lower end of the handle inward toward said partitioningend wall, and a return spring disposed between the end Wall of saidhandle and the partitioning end wall of the body to urge the lower endof the handle outwardly, the combination comprising a catch at theundersurface of said tongue, a locking pin reciprocably mounted uponsaid partitioning wall and spring loaded for stopping engagement withsaid catch to prevent movement of the tongue until the pin is retractedfrom engagement with the catch, a string tautly vertically securedbetween said pin and the lower end of the partitioning wall, a bellowsprojecting inwardly from the lower portion of the end Wall of saidhandle and upon expansion engaging the string to thereby retract thepin, said bellows having an inlet and a valved outlet for permittingpassage of fluid only lupon compression of the bellows, a containerhaving an inlet and an outlet, said outlet disposed in sealedcommunication with the inlet of said bellows, and a core of porousmaterial disposed within said container between the inlet and outletthereof and establishing a fixed resistance to fluid flow in preciseproportion to the compression of the material and thickness of the core.

6. A cigarette case comprising a rectangular box-like body open at thetop with side walls projecting longitudinally beyond a transversepartitioning end wall dividing the body into a cigarette compartmentand. an end pocket, a flexible tongue slidably longitudinally disposedbetween the side walls of the body at the `top thereof and forming a lidfor said compartment, a hollow lever handle vertically disposed withinsaid pocket and open at its inner end, said handle pivotally connectedto the side walls of the body and secured at its upper end to saidtongue to thereby draw the tongue outwardly and open the cigarettecompartment upon rotation of the lower end of the handle inward towardsaid partitioning wall, a return spring disposed between the end wall ofsaid handle and the partitioning end wall of the body to urge the lowerend of the handle outwardly, a catch projecting from the undersurface ofsaid tongue in the region of said pocket, a vertical locking pinreciprocably mounted upon said partitioning Wall and spring loaded forstopping engagement with the catch to prevent opening of thecornpar-tment until the pin is retracted downward, a bracket secured tothe lower end of the partitioning wall and having a pair of verticallyspaced raised portions, a string tautly secured between said pin and thelower one of the raised portions of the bracket while passing freelyover the upper one thereof, a base secured to the end wall of the handlein the lower portion thereof, said base having a central passageextending from its surface interiorly thereof into communication withexteriorly extending inlet and outlet pasages, a bellows mounted uponthe surface of said base with the interior of the bellows in sealedcommunication with said central passage, said bellows projectinglongitudinally inward from the base to upon expansion contact saidstring in the section thereof disposed between the raised portions ofsaid bracket, check valve means disposed in sealed communication withsaid outlet passage to open'the passage during depression of the bellowsand seal the passage the remainder of the time, a container having aninlet and an outlet, said outlet disposed in sealed communication withsaid -inlet passage, and a core of porous material disposed in sealedcommunication with said inlet passage, said core of porous materialdisposed within said container between the inlet and outlet thereof andretained against expansion from a fixed degree of compression.

7. A cigarette case according to claim 6, further defined by saidbracket being of bendable material to permit bending of the lower raisedportion to different positions of displacement from the partitioningwall.

8. A device for controlling the volume ow of liuid per unit of time at agiven pressure comprising a tube having gripping protuberances on itsinterior wall surface adjacent its ends, a core of compressible porousmaterial `disposed within said tube, and a pair of apertured end plugsrespectively disposed within the ends of said ytube and engaging saidgripping protuberances to be thereby secured within the tube at fixedaxial positions thereof, said end plugs bearing at their interior facesagainst the opposite ends of said core to compress the core therebetweenand maintain the core material in a xed state of compressioncommensurate Iwith a predetermined value of flow resistance.

9. A device for controlling the volume ow of fluid per unit of time at agiven pressure comprising a tube having an exteriorly threaded flange atone end for screwin attachment to auxiliary equipment and closed by aseal at the other end, said tube having a row of longitudinally spacedapertures through the wall thereof, means defining a perforated closureat the open end of said tube, a core of porous material disposed withinsaid tube between the closed end thereof and said perforated closure andestablishing a fixed resistance to uid flow in precise proportion to thecompression and thickness of core material in the direction of flowtherethrough, and a strip yof perforable tape secured to said tube incovering relation -to said apertures.

l0. A Huid flow control device comprising a tube closed at one end andperforable along its length between its closed and open ends, and a coreof porous material disposed within said tube and extending along theentire length of the tube between the ends thereof and establishing afixed resistance to fluid flow in precise proportion to the compressionof the core material and thickness thereof between a point ofperforation along the length of the tube and its open end.

l1. In a timing mechanism the combination comprising means defining anenclosed volume of fluid with a ow path communicating therewith andhaving a pressure which changes in accordance with the rate at which thefluid flows through said flow path, triggering means actuatable inresponse to a predetermined change in the pressure of said enclosedvolume of fluid, a container having an inlet opening and an outletopening disposed in communication with said flow path, and a core ofporous material disposed within said container between the inlet andoutlet openings thereof and establishing a fixed resistance to fluidflow in precise proportion to the porosity and thickness of the corematerial.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,482,021 Little Jan. 29, 1924 2,304,689 Hanson Dec. 8, 1942 2,327,195Kosky et al Aug. 17, 1943 2,837,907 Halling et al .Tune 10, 19582,857,927 Pardee Oct. 28, 1958

